Yogi B

Balakrishna Ganeshan Yogeswaran Veerasingam (born December 14, 1974), popularly known by his stage name Yogi B or Yogi B., is a Malaysian Tamil rapper and music producer. He is noted for his pioneering contributions to the Tamil hip-hop genre.

Early life Yogeswaran Veerasingam was born on December 14,1974, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and grew up in a multicultural environment that would later influence his musical career. Besides Yogi B, it consisted of Chandrakumar Balakrishnan (aka Land Slyde), Nicholas Ong (aka Point Blanc), and Sashi Kumar Balakrishnan (aka C. Loco). Although most of the group's songs were written in English, they also released tracks in Malay, Tamil, and Cantonese.

The band won the 'Best English Album' award at the Malaysian Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) Music Awards in 1999. They also received the 'Best Music Video' award at AIM in 2000 and 2001. Their music video 'Money Money' gained widespread national and international acclaim.

Rise to fame The mid-2000s were transformative for Yogi B, marked by a surge in the popularity of Tamil hip-hop. His collaboration with the rap duo Natchatra (consisting of Dr. Burn and Emcee Jesz) played a pivotal role in this rise. In 2006, Yogi B achieved notable success with the release of the album Vallavan. The song, a unique fusion of the classic Ilaiyaraaja number with contemporary rap, captivated audiences worldwide. It garnered significant recognition from the Tamil diaspora in London, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Scandinavian countries. In South India, the song became closely associated with the now-defunct SS Music channel, which played it frequently. The album sold more than 25,000 units.

Discography

With Poetic Ammo

With Natchatra Year Album Artists Ref. 2006 Vallavan Yogi B and Natchatra Her demise affected him both personally and professionally. This loss, combined with two major surgeries for goitre, created a period of intense difficulty for him. His ability to merge Tamil cultural elements with contemporary hip-hop has influenced a new generation of artists and shaped the evolution of South Asian music. His innovative work earned him the nickname 'Godfather of Tamil Hip-Hop'.